acknowledging rejections

I always do it — just a polite line saying thanks for getting back to me, still looking forward to next issue or whatever. It’s almost a superstition – I have to do it for each and every rejection. Not sure why. Is it some compulsion to demonstrate (to them? to myself?) that I’m not some wacked-out loser who can’t take rejection or criticism? There was a time when I wasn’t sure that I wasn’t that sort of wacked-out loser, but I think it has passed. Why, then?

I just realize that I thought everyone did this, and am only focusing on it now because I recently sent out several rejection emails as a first-time co-editor and didn’t get any responses. Not that I thought any were due (and feeling, now I think about it, rather grateful than not that no fiery rejections of the rejections were forthcoming), but just wondering.

I was glad to see this…and learn I’m not the only one who sends a “thanks for reading/looking forward to the issue” note in response to a rejection. There’s something about email that feels more personal (even though it probably isn’t), because I only do it with email rejections and not with snail mail rejections. I’ve never once had an editor respond to my note.

Valerie – Maybe they will think you’re weird — maybe they think I’m weird! And Marybeth. Like her, I never get responses, but then I don’t ever expect any. It’s more a loop-closing thing than a loop-opening one, I think.